Seeing with the eyes of faith

Seeing with the eyes of faith

Paul prayed a powerful prayer for the Ephesian Christians — a prayer I encourage you to pray for yourself and your loved ones:

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling…and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe (Ephesians 1: 18-19).

There’s an important principle here, for in order for faith to rise in your life, you need to have the eyes of your heart enlightened to God’s calling and “the surpassing greatness of His power.” When you see things through the eyes of faith, God always is bigger than your problems. Fear, anxiety, and hopelessness melt away in the light of His glory.

The eyes of faith are moved only by God’s Spirit and His Word, not by what we see through our human eyes. This is shown in the story of the king of Aram sending “horses and chariots and a great army” to surround the city where the prophet Elisha was (2 Kings 6:11-19).

Elisha’s servant was terrified by the spectacle of this mighty force, intent on taking Elisha captive. “Alas, my master!” he said in alarm. “What shall we do?” (v. 15).

Based on human understanding, it was a perfectly logical question. They were clearly outnumbered.

Yet Elisha saw an entirely different picture — made possible by the eyes of faith. “Do not fear,” he told his servant, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (v. 16).

Elisha and his servant were standing right next to each other, but they saw two different realities. Yet that was about to change:

Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (v. 17).

My friend, perhaps you feel like you’re surrounded by difficulties today. Maybe the enemy’s armies seem to have an overwhelming advantage over you. What’s the solution at such times? Just like Elisha’s servant, you simply must have your eyes opened to the all-surpassing greatness of God’s power available on your behalf.

While the world says, “Seeing is believing,” the Bible says just the opposite. We must make a choice to believe God’s Word and reject the lies of the enemy. Then, and only then, will our eyes of faith see what is going on in the spiritual realm.

That’s why Jesus pointed out to those standing at Lazarus’ gravesite: “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). Yes, in God’s Kingdom, BELIEVING always precedes SEEING.

So don’t be blinded by your natural circumstances. Instead, ask God to open your spiritual eyes as He did for Elisha’s servant.

When your spiritual eyes are opened, you will recognize that you’re not alone. God is with you, and He has a massive spiritual arsenal at your disposal. You are His child, and His Spirit is alive within you. Now is the time to allow faith to rise up within you, enabling you to advance God’s Kingdom and overthrow the power of the enemy.

Stand strong! Believe God’s Word, and you will see His glory manifested in your life.

Ben Cerullo has been named by Charisma Magazine as one of the “30 Emerging Voices” who will lead the church in the next decade. His ministry carries a powerful anointing and prophetic message. Traveling extensively, both domestically and internationally, he has spoken in more than 27 nations. God continues to use him to reach people with the Gospel, confirming His Word with signs following.